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Contaminated
waters raise health fears in Sudan 27 September 2007 Rains have continued to sweep through Sudan for nearly three months leaving a trail of destruction and affecting over half a million people. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned that the flood waters have destroyed entire villages, washing away houses, latrines and damaging water pipes. “With over half a million people affected by flooding in Sudan the needs are massive, said George Gigiberia, Sudan Country Representative for the International Federation. “With the recent re-flooding the clear priority now is the provision of clean, safe drinking water as vulnerable communities, many of whom have already lost everything, now face the added threat of water borne diseases.” In the White Nile region, one of the most severely flooded areas, many of the main water sources have been affected. Latrines have been washed away and human and animal excrement now flows into drinking sources creating massive health risks for the people in the area. Gigiberia continued, “People in the White Nile area get their water either from the river or through pipes. As well as contamination of the river water, extensive damage has also been done to the pipes meaning that no water sources are completely safe.” Since the International Federation emergency appeal was launched on 8th August 2007, the number of affected households has increased by 46 per cent from 59,565 to 109,600. In response to the emerging scale of the crisis a massive scaling up has been put in place to reach a total of 200,000 affected people – five times that of the original appeal. An emergency response team focusing on water and sanitation has been working in the region, treating and delivering water to 40,000 people in Kotsi town of the White Nile state. Two additional water kits in Jabalen in White Nile state and Sodari in North Kordofan state will supply safe drinking water to 20,000 people. Gigiberia said: “As well as treating and delivering water the International Federation has distributed water treatment tablets to communities along with insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Staff and volunteers are working tirelessly in the affected regions yet with the rains continuing there still remains much more to be done.” The International Federation has launched a revised emergency appeal for Sudan for 4,561,399 Euro to assist 200,000 people. This will include providing emergency relief and shelter support to 75,000 people, providing safe drinking water to 177,400 flood affected people in the hardest hit areas and also working to prevent the spread of disease by distributing 45,000 insecticide treated bed nets to prevent malaria and 200,000 sachets of oral re-hydration salts to people suffering from diarrhoea. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Becky Webb, Information Delegate, IFRC, Nairobi +254 (20) 283 5221 or 0771 113 9114 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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